Article

Ballance set for finger X-ray as Bayliss calls for calm

Gary Ballance will undergo an X-ray on his left index finger as England coach Trevor Bayliss called for calm following a heavy defeat to South Africa.

England were unable to follow up their 211-run win over the Proteas in the first Test at Lord's, suffering a thumping 340-run loss in the second match at Trent Bridge.

The hosts got nowhere near their target of 474 as they paid the price for giving away cheap wickets on day four, with only former skipper Alastair Cook offering a form of resistance as Joe Root suffered his first defeat since becoming Test captain.

Ballance only put on four to leave his average across his last 13 Tests at just 19.16, something that will only heighten scrutiny over his place in the side.

It is a matter that could be taken out of Root's hands, however, with the Zimbabwe-born left-hander set for an X-ray on a finger injury.